Elizabeth Eckford Elizabeth Eckford was born in 1942 in Little Rock. This was during the time of segregation and the highest point of racism. Black and white people were separated into different schools. This happened mostly in the south and was only allowed because all schools were thought to be equal. But after further investigation by the Supreme Court, it was discovered they were in no way equal- the schools for black people had it much worse off.
The buildings weren’t adequate and even the education wasn’t good enough. Several states in the south refused to allow blacks into their schools. Eckford attempted to enter Little Rock Central High School with eight other African American students. The governor of Arkansas, Orvel Faubus, declined the Supreme Court’s ruling, sent the National Guard to stop the students from entering. President Eisenhower later sent federal troops to protect the black students and make sure they could go to school there.
White citizens of Little Rock considered this unfair and were outraged at the prospect of having to share their schools with black people. The eight students were physically hurt and constantly emotionally abused. Few white students allowed themselves to act kindly towards Eckford and even fewer became true friends. Four of the kid’s parents lost their jobs because people no longer wanted their assistance.
As seen in a picture taken during Eckford’s uneasy walk to school, a crowd of white students stood behind her, yelling, threatening, and criticizing her. One of those students was Hazel Massery. At the time, she was extremely racist and mocked Eckford every chance she got. Later on she tried to make up for what she did by befriending Eckford. Their friendship did not last long because Eckford believed that Massery was only trying to clear her guilty conscience.
Faubus eventually closed down all the schools in Little Rock to avoid integration. Afterwards, Eckford earned a high school diploma, joined the army, and took a few college courses. She is the mother of two sons and now lives in Little Rock as a probation officer. That day in 1957 is a sensitive subject for Eckford and she is usually only willing to speak about it with children. Her story is just as much the story of every black-skinned person who was once ridiculed because of their race. A statue of her was created in Little Rock and is a monument of the hatred once felt towards black people. Eckford herself now stands as a symbol of acceptance for all races.
Elizabeth Eckford was born in 1942 in Little Rock. This was during the time of segregation and the highest point of racism. Black and white people were separated into different schools. This happened mostly in the south and was only allowed because all schools were thought to be equal. But after further investigation by the Supreme Court, it was discovered they were in no way equal- the schools for black people had it much worse off.
The buildings weren’t adequate and even the education wasn’t good enough. Several states in the south refused to allow blacks into their schools. Eckford attempted to enter Little Rock Central High School with eight other African American students. The governor of Arkansas, Orvel Faubus, declined the Supreme Court’s ruling, sent the National Guard to stop the students from entering. President Eisenhower later sent federal troops to protect the black students and make sure they could go to school there.
White citizens of Little Rock considered this unfair and were outraged at the prospect of having to share their schools with black people. The eight students were physically hurt and constantly emotionally abused. Few white students allowed themselves to act kindly towards Eckford and even fewer became true friends. Four of the kid’s parents lost their jobs because people no longer wanted their assistance.
As seen in a picture taken during Eckford’s uneasy walk to school, a crowd of white students stood behind her, yelling, threatening, and criticizing her. One of those students was Hazel Massery. At the time, she was extremely racist and mocked Eckford every chance she got. Later on she tried to make up for what she did by befriending Eckford. Their friendship did not last long because Eckford believed that Massery was only trying to clear her guilty conscience.
Faubus eventually closed down all the schools in Little Rock to avoid integration. Afterwards, Eckford earned a high school diploma, joined the army, and took a few college courses. She is the mother of two sons and now lives in Little Rock as a probation officer. That day in 1957 is a sensitive subject for Eckford and she is usually only willing to speak about it with children. Her story is just as much the story of every black-skinned person who was once ridiculed because of their race. A statue of her was created in Little Rock and is a monument of the hatred once felt towards black people. Eckford herself now stands as a symbol of acceptance for all races.